[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8770-S8771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 147--TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER OF 2001, AS 
         ``NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH''

  Mr. WELLSTONE submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 147

       Whereas alcohol and drug addiction is a devastating disease 
     that can destroy lives, families, and communities;
       Whereas alcohol and drug addiction carry direct and 
     indirect costs for the United States of more than 
     $246,000,000,000 each year;
       Whereas scientific evidence demonstrates the crucial role 
     that treatment plays in restoring those suffering from 
     alcohol and drug addiction to more productive lives;
       Whereas in 1999, research at the National Institute on Drug 
     Abuse at the National Institutes of Health showed that about 
     14,800,000 Americans were users of illicit drugs, and about 
     3,500,000 were dependent on illicit drugs; an additional 
     8,200,000 were dependent on alcohol;
       Whereas the 1999 National Household Survey of Drug Abuse, a 
     project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
     Administration, showed that drug use varies substantially 
     among States, ranging from a low of 4.7 percent to a high of 
     10.7 percent for the overall population, and from 8.0 percent 
     to 18.3 percent for youths age 12-17;
       Whereas the Office of National Drug Control Policy's 2001 
     National Drug Control Strategy includes the reduction of the 
     treatment gap for individuals who are addicted to drugs as 
     one of the top 3 goals for reducing the health and social 
     costs to the public;
       Whereas the lives of children, families, and communities 
     are severely affected by alcohol and drug addiction, through 
     the effects of the disease, and through the neglect, broken 
     relationships, and violence that are so often a part of the 
     disease of addiction;
       Whereas a National Institute on Drug Abuse 4-city study of 
     1,200 adolescents found that community-based treatment 
     programs can reduce drug and alcohol use, improve school 
     performance, and lower involvement with the criminal justice 
     system;
       Whereas a number of organizations and individuals dedicated 
     to fighting addiction and promoting treatment and recovery 
     will recognize the month of September of 2001 as National 
     Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month;
       Whereas the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
     Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, in 
     conjunction with its national planning partner organizations 
     and treatment providers, have taken a Federal leadership role 
     in promoting Recovery Month 2001;
       Whereas National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 
     aims to promote the societal benefits of substance abuse 
     treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers, and 
     promote the message that recovery from substance abuse in all 
     its forms is possible;
       Whereas the 2001 national campaign embraces the theme of 
     ``We Recover Together: Family, Friends and Community'', and 
     highlights the societal benefits, importance, and 
     effectiveness of drug and treatment as a public health 
     service in our country; and
       Whereas the countless numbers of those who have 
     successfully recovered from addiction are living proof that 
     people of all races, genders, and ages recover every day from 
     the disease of alcohol and drug addiction, and make positive 
     contributions to their families, workplaces, communities, 
     States, and the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of September of 2001 as ``National 
     Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation urging 
     the people of the United States to carry out appropriate 
     programs and activities to demonstrate support for those 
     individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Madam President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
to proclaim September, 2001 as ``National Alcohol and Drug Addiction 
Recovery Month''. The purpose is to recognize the societal benefits, 
importance and effectiveness of drug treatment as a public health 
service. The Year 2001 Recovery Month theme is ``We Recover Together: 
Family, Friends, and Community'', with a clear message that we need to 
work together to promote treatment for alcohol and drug addiction 
throughout our country.
  Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that many individuals 
face as a painful, private struggle, often without access to treatment 
or medical care. But this disease also has staggering public costs. A 
1998 report prepared by The Lewin Group for the National Institute on 
Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 
estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to be 
approximately $246 billion for 1992. Of this cost, an estimated $98 
billion was due to addiction to illicit drugs and other drugs taken for 
non-medical purposes. This estimate includes addiction treatment and 
prevention costs, as well as costs associated with related illnesses, 
reduced job productivity or lost earnings, and other costs to society 
such as crime and social welfare programs.
  Adults and children who have the disease of addiction can be found 
throughout our society. We know from the outstanding research done at 
the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of 
Health that 14,800,000 Americans were users of illicit drugs, and about 
3,500,000 were dependent on illicit drugs. An additional 8 million were 
dependent on alcohol. The 1999 Household Survey of Drug Abuse, a 
project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration, showed that drug use varies among States, ranges from a 
low of 4.7 percent to a high of 10.7 percent of the overall population, 
and from 8.0 percent to 18.3 percent for youths age 12-17.
  The 2001 National Drug Control Strategy of the Office of National 
Drug Control Policy, ONDCP, has recognized the importance of drug 
treatment. The ONDCP Strategy includes the reduction of the treatment 
gap for individuals who are addicted to drugs as one of the top 3 goals 
for reducing the health and social costs to the public. And yet, 80 
percent of adolescents needing treatment are unable to access services 
because of the severe lack of coverage for addiction treatment or the 
unavailability of treatment programs or trained health care providers 
in their community. The 1998 Hay Group Report revealed that the overall 
value of substance abuse treatment benefits has decreased by 74.5 
percent from 1988 through 1998, leaving our youth without sufficient 
medical care for this disease when they are most vulnerable.
  We know that addiction to alcohol and other drugs contribute to other 
problems as well. Addictive substances have the potential for 
destroying the person who is addicted, as well as his or her family. We 
know, for example, that fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known 
cause of mental retardation. If a woman who was addicted to alcohol 
could receive proper treatment, fetal alcohol syndrome for her baby 
would be 100 percent preventable, and more than 12,000 infants born in 
the U.S. each year would not suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, with 
its irreversible physical and mental damage.

[[Page S8771]]

  We know too of the devastation caused by addiction when violence 
between people is one of the consequences. A 1998 SAMHSA report 
outlined the links between domestic violence and substance abuse. We 
know from clinical reports that 25-50 percent of men who commit acts of 
domestic violence also have substance abuse problems. The report 
recognized the link between the victim of abuse and use of alcohol and 
drugs, and recommended that after the woman's safety has been 
addressed, the next step would be to help with providing treatment for 
her addiction as a step toward independence and health, and toward the 
prevention of the consequences for the children who suffer the same 
abuse either directly, or indirectly by witnessing spousal violence.
  The physical, emotional, and social harm caused by this disease is 
both preventable and treatable. We know from the excellent research 
conducted at NIH, through the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the 
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, that treatment for 
drug and alcohol addiction can be effective. The effectiveness of 
treatment is the major finding from a NIDA-sponsored 4-city study of 
drug abuse treatment outcomes for 1,200 adolescents. The study showed 
that community-based treatment programs can reduce drug and alcohol 
use, improve school performance, and lower involvement with the 
criminal justice system.
  Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that affects the brain, 
the body, and the spirit. We must provide adequate opportunities for 
the treatment of addiction in order to help those who are suffering and 
to prevent the health and social problems that it causes. We know that 
the costs to do so are very low. A 1999 study by the Rand Corporation 
found that the cost to managed care health plans is now only about $5 
per person per year for unlimited substance abuse treatment benefits to 
employees of big companies. A 1997 Milliman and Robertson study found 
that complete substance abuse treatment parity would increase per 
capita health insurance premiums by only one half of one percent, or 
less than $1 per member per month--without even considering any of the 
obvious savings that will result from treatment. Several studies have 
shown that for every $1 spent on treatment, more than $7 is saved in 
other health care expenses. These savings are in addition to the 
financial and other benefits of increased productivity, as well as 
participation in family and community life. Providing treatment for 
addiction also saves millions of dollars in the criminal justice 
system. But for treatment to be effective and helpful throughout our 
society all systems of care, including private insurance plans, must 
share this responsibility.
  The National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the year 
2001 celebrates the tremendous strides taken by individuals who have 
undergone successful treatment and recognizes those in the treatment 
field who have dedicated their lives to helping our young people 
recover from addiction. Many individuals, families, organizations, and 
communities give generously of their time and expertise to help those 
suffering from addiction and to help them to achieve recovery and 
productive, healthy lives. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA/
CSAT, in conjunction with national planning partner organizations and 
treatment providers, have taken a Federal leadership role in promoting 
Recovery Month 2001. The Recovery Month events being planned throughout 
our nation, including one on September 29, in St. Paul, Minnesota, will 
recognize the countless numbers of those who have successfully 
recovered from addiction and who are living proof that people of all 
races, genders, and ages recover every day from the disease of alcohol 
and drug addiction, and now make positive contributions to their 
families, workplaces, communities, state, and nation.
  I urge the Senate to adopt this resolution designating the month of 
September, 2001, as Recovery Month, and to take part in the many local 
and national activities and events recognizing this effort.

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